Closed rotatable switch



Aug. 24, 1954 E. J. sAxL 2,687,453 CLOSED ROTATABLE SWITCH Filed April 19, 1950 I5 Sheets-Sheet l [zeven/tor Y Ef'vz'n dvaxl Aug. 24, 1954 E. J. sAxL 2,687,453 CLOSED ROTATABLE SWITCH Filed April 19, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 24, 1954 E. J. sAxL 2,687,453 CLOSED ROTATABLE SWITCH Filed April 19. 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 24, 1954 OFFICE 2,687,453 CLOSED ROTATABLE SWITCH Erwin J. Saxl, Harvard, Mass.

Application April 19, 1950, Serial No.

27 Claims. l

rihis invention relates broadly to a device ior making and breaking an electric circuit, and has for its principal objects to provide a device that will positively make a circuit and substantially instantaneously break it so as to operate current impulses in the circuit, the duration of which will non-maximum speed at power consumption from input signals having low power level.

in its broadest aspect the device is in the form of a light, closed receptacle, container, envelope or capsule, rotation of which may be eliected with a minimum of power interposed in an electric circuit of relatively high potential and operable i shall for brevity receptacle, using tion of instability from which it gravitates suddenly, returning back to the bottom of the recepterrninals situated in the path the moving' body stable position, in the circuit.

In certain of its several forms the receptacle includes one or more cups, depressions or scoops thereof at its to create an impulse prior to arrival and hence to a predetermined level and then to allow it to gravi-tate to its original level, the spaced terminais being arranged therein in such positions as to be momentarily connected to each other through the said iree body as it moves relative thereto from its elevated position to its original reducing atmosphere t0 avoid oxidation.

It is contemplated that the receptacle may be employed in a circuit containing a comparatively While the term capsule is high-power consuming device such as a counter, computer, measuring device or signal, and the impulse generated in the circuit by rotation of the said receptacle, While requiring little power to produce, will be such instrumentalities. used the receptacle may be connected for rotation to a Watthour meter, for example, and the amount of current passing through the meter will be recorded by the counter without adversely affecting the accuracy oi the meter.

The invention Will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l shows a transverse being taken on the line i-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the device taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l and shows the mounting for the receptacle;

Fig. 3 is a vertical diametrical a preferred tion on the line 5er-5a of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section through a receptacle designed especially for receiving a f' making and breaking the circuit;

of nonconductive material through the Wall of which pass a pair of closely spaced terminals;

Fig. 8 is a. vertical section through a receptacle designed to provide a plurality of impulses so as, for example, to actuate several circuits for each rotation;

a-nd rotating parts;

Figs. 1l, l2 forms of the receptacle having the terminal elec- Fig. lla is a side elevation shown in Figs. 11, l2 and 13;

Figs. 14 and l5 show in side elevation two positions of the receptacle which herein is of elon- Yor any other conventional 3 gated tubular form and having its ends slightly oppositely curved;

Fig. 14a is a cross section of the receptacle shown in Figs. 14 and 15;

Fig. 16 shows in plan view a duplex form of the receptacle that is shown in Figs. 14 and 15;

Fig. 17 shows in longitudinal section an important variation of those forms of receptacle that are shown in Figs. 1l, 12 and 13;

Fig. 18 shows, in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section, the circuit making and breaking device used in connection with an electric-light bulb to cause a constant series of sufficiently short flashes for any desired purpose;

Figs. 19 and 20 show in cross section and in plan one form of the circuit making and breaking device used in connection with a watt-hour meter;

Figs. 20a and 2Gb are sectional details, parts being broken away, of alternative constructions ci the electrode supports and associated bearings or bushings; and

lEig; 21 shows in crc-ss section one cfthe many possible adaptations of my invention, it being hereshown in a light buoy to cause iiashing thereof.

The device has for its primary purpose the generating of a plurality of strong impulses in an electric circuit of standard voltage by providing means for circuit which may be actuated by weak actuating means such as a small electric clock mechanism or by means which would be made inaccurate if much power output was imposed upon it.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, thereV is shown by way of example the device in the form of a closed receptacle le interposed in a circuit i2 having in it a counter ll. The circuit is oonnected by leads lll to a lili-volt power source and readily available sourcey of electric power, whether it be direct current or alternating curren The illustrated form. of the receptacle shown in Fig. 2 is particularly intended for laboratory use and hence is not as light-in weight ory as economical to construct as the forms of the receptacle shown in most of the other figures. However, it illustrates the principle involved and accordingly will now be described toportray the principal idea of the invention.

The receptacle comprises essentially two cupshaped members 2liy and 22 circular in cross section and telescopically engaged one within the other, the external surface of the member 20 carrying threads for engagement with correspending threads formed on the inner surface ofthe member 22. The circular end wall of the member 22 has a central opening 26 'therein which is of substantially the same diameter as the inside diameter of the cup 2li, so as to form an annularV lip Z3" which serves to hold a glass plate 3&1 between it and the lip of the cup* 2tA inY a rigid fashion and hence enable observation of the inside of the. receptacle during rotation thereof'. A. shaft 32.' is fixed in the end wall of the cup 2@ and is journalled in av bearing 34 formed in a metal plate 36, riveted, bolted or' otherwise fastened to an insulating supporting member 3L A shaftv 3S is heat sealed into the glass plate 39 in axial alignment with the shaft 32, and is journaled in. a bearing da formed or otherwise inserted in a metal plate Q2. As thus constructed, the receptacle may be rotated about the horizontalv axis of the shafts 32 and 3s,` and to effect such rotation making and breaking such a the latter being.

l whether the receptacle isthere is fastened to the shaft 3S a gear 44, this being driven by a worm 6.5 which may be connected to any source of power, as, for example, the take-off at a watt-hour meter or other current measuring instrument from a small, comparatively weak electric clock, or a weak electronic circuit, the current from which is not of sufdcient strength to actuate a mechanical device such as a computer, counter, integrator, or other similar measuring instrument whether mechanically operated or electrically operated.

Within the receptacle, in the inner peripheral wall of the cup 2i), there are formed one or more depressions, cavities or scoops llfiwithin which may be placed a body or globule of mercury El), although itis to be understood that any other conductive metallic material which will be liquid at normal temperatures or any non-vaporizing conducting liquid which will not be disassociated by current passage or even a rigid metal ball may be used. Also within the receptacle there is fixed to the inner end of the shaft 318 a balanced terminal member 52 in the form of a two bladed paddle, the extremities 53 of which terminate close to the inner peripheral surface of the cup 2d andr are so shaped that, for example as shown in Fig. l., the terminal end of each blade is situated laterally to one side of the cavity or depression A8. In operation, the receptacle is caused to rotate in the direction of the arrow so that the cavity moves in a direction always to precede the blade of the paddle closest` to it. As the receptaclerotates the body of mercury or other conductive material is carried in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1,v fromv its initially stable position at the. level of the bottom of the receptacle upwardly through an angle oi substantially 45, although. this` will vary depending upon the the depth of the cavity and the exact shape thereof, whereupon it will suddenly spill out of the cavity and run downwardly along the inner curved surface of the receptacle toward the bottom, where it willy eventually settle and remain in a stable position until it is again received in a depression i8 and carried upwardly, this of course depending upon the speed at which the receptacle is rotated. 1f the blade 52 is fixed as heretofore described and travels with the receptacle immediately upon spilling of the mercury from the cavity, it. will pass beneath the terminal end 53 of the blade adjacent to the cavity as it descends along the surface of the receptacle, thus makingv a momentary Contact between the blade andy the receptacle. The in'- ner wallof the receptacle, at least, is composed, in this form of'v the invention, of a conductive material, and, accordingly the momentary pas sage ofthe mercury between the edge of the blade and the inner surface of the receptacle will establish an electric contact so that there will be a momentary closing of the circuit l2, followedI immediately by abreaxng of the circuit so that for an instant there is animpulse in the circuit corresponding to the voltage impressed thereon.

rIhe making-and-breaking of the circuit will be positive,y and'. the breaking will be clean since the mercury will cw quickly to the bottom of the receptacle and hence the duration of the contact will be entirely indepedent of the rate of rotation of the receptacle, so that regardless of turning at an almost indiscernible speed or at ahigh rate of speed, the contact will be made and broken under the same condition. sothat the impulsegenerated in the circuit l2. will always be identical in duratlon. Since there are two depressions there will be two impulses for each revolution of the re- 52 and 54 provide for connecting the device in Instead of using one sigle pair of paddles only, a multiple number of contactors may be used. This makes it possible to actuate the contacting and decontacting mechanism for smaller` angles of deflection than the 180 necessitated by the device described previously.

would in such case be of suilicient mass or would be counterweighted suiliciently to be substantially unaffected by the impact of the mercury.

Much simpler and cheaper forms of the resmall and Weak are shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Referring to Fig. 3, the receptacle a is shown 10b as comprising a pair of substantally fiat,

shafts 18 and 80, each sealed in the plates 10 so that their inner ends are closely adjacent. The terminal ends 'l5 at opposite sides of the shafts collect for an instant in the ends 'I5 and bridge the gap between the shafts 13 and 80, thereby making the circuit. With this construction the insulation S8. A brush may be held in contact with the metal ring 98 so as to establish a slip take-01T between the rotating receptacle and the circuit to be established. When the receptacle Since there is very little friotlon 1n the receptacle, the ball 88 will tend to oscillate before it settles to a stable position and 1f the ball ha returns toward the terminal 92, and will contact with the stop which will prevent it again reaching the terminal 92 until the receptacle has made a complete half revolution.

with an air gap [B5 therebetween so that when the ball 35 rolls along the inner surface it will make contact with the plates at the air gap |85 and thus establish a momentary circuit.

The receptacle, envelope or capsule in the various forms (Figs. 1 to 7) makes one or two contacts, and hence one or two impulses for each revolution. However, in some cases it may be desirable to have a plurality of impulses created for each revolution, creating a plurality7 of impulses in the same or different circuits. Accordingly, a device as shown in Fig. 8 may be made which consists of a pair of shallow disk-shaped members |66, lUB, joined by peripheral flanges llil and having in their walls a plurality of sealed-in glass beads H2, each of which serves to support a terminal l I4 in one wall opposite a terminal l lt in the opposite wall. The terminals l lil, l lt may be connected by conventional conductors which are led to slip rings lll) on co-axial shafts 52B,

|22, so that rotation of the receptacle, envelope or capsule may be produced about a common axis. A body of mercury l2li is included in the seated receptacle and upon rotation will be carried from an initially stable position at the bottom of the f receptacle to an elevated position, where it will fall downwardly between successive terminals Hd, H8, making contact with each pair of such terminals as it passes therebetween to produce an impulse in the circuit or circuits in which the receptacle is interposed. The receptacle in each of the foregoing examples should be evacuated and filled with an inert or reducing gas such as argon, nitrogen, helium, etc. to avoid oxidation of the metal electrodes by the action of the hot spark.

Figs. 9 and 9a show other embodiments of my invention -comprising means for providing instantaneous conducting. Thercin a drop o1" mercury illil lies at the bottom of the rotatable receptacle or envelope lli l. Such receptacle or envelope may be mechanically, electrically or otherwise linked to a moving mechanism, such as a mechanical pendulum.

By a pendulous oscillation of the receptacle or envelope llll, ldlc, such as shown in Figs. 9 and 9a, the electrode N2 will then temporarily pass through the pool of mercury, and thereby establish contact between the single electrode H22 and the conductive envelope lill, shown in Fig. 9. From the single electrode actuation it is possible thereby to operate servo-mechanisms, such as electrically operated clocks that are actuated to follow the initial impulses of the master pendulum with mercury actuator connected thereto.

In Fig. 9a the same idea is presented with the exception that instead of a single electrode ld?. having in operation a pendulous contacting motion, as shown in Fig. 9, there are shown in Fig. 9a two electrodes M3, iM. However, it is possible to provide quite a number of electrodes in this manner within the limits of physical spacing. Therefore two is not the limiting number of electrodes, but they are shown as indicative of a multiplicity of electrodes that can be applied in the same receptacle or envelope. 'Ihereby a multiplicity of circuits can be operated from the pendulous mechanism instead of the single contact shown in Fig. 9.

In this manner electromechanical means for timing devices and multiple as well as singly actuated contacting mechanism can be established, such as required in certain types of sweep circuit, cathode ray followers, trigger circuits, pulsing circuits and other `equipment depending thus `far upon electronic means only. While electronic components for the purposes mentioned have their just and proper eld where their extremely high speed is an asset, the mercury actuator shown has the advantage for slower operating speeds. Also it is inexpensive and reliable, less subject to burn-out and vibration, and particularly it has the great asset of affording a direct mercury is not permitted any longer to fall between the electrodes but is held to the wall by centrifugal power. This invention therefore provides for the important engineering application whereby actuation will occur only if the speed is below a maximum. If the speed cf a motor `or prime source of power falls below a safe minimum, only then is the mercury permitted to drop, thus actuating such auxiliary equipment as will restore the speed of the moving or rotating means to a safe number of revolutions per minute. For instance, an automatic gear shift would be actuated if the speed of the motor falls into the range where it would stall unless compensation is made by gear shift, gas input or other energy input, etc. to bring the basic speed of the motor back to a safe minimum wherein it is adequately operative.

The principle of construction illustrated in Figs. Q and 9a may be used when dealing with a pendulous actuation. In this instance the mercury is released, say during clockwise motion. Then the pendulum swings back, the drop of mercury is lifted in counterclockwise motion and released again from a release point opposite the first one. Thus a pendulous motion may be amplified in the usual manner, keeping a pendulum in motion over electro-magnetic means of regeneration. Such a construction is of particular importance in the field of direct current electric clocks, be it low voltage such as used in battery operated clocks for cars or be they direct current clocks such as required in some direct current systems in some j towns or cities.

In Fig. 8 there is disclosed a basic construction or arrangement for having a drop of mercury or other free conductive body operate a sequence of electrodes, and thus initiate sequences of operation of multiple circuits. This basic idea is shown `applied in more practical form in Fig. l0. Therein the end plugs lll5, lst may be insulating, for

conductive current may or may not be taken off said end plugs. If more than two electrodes are provided to be energized, I may provide means extending through the insulated end plugs |45, it@ for establishing one pair of contacting electrodes lill, M8. Another pair of contacting electrodes itil, ld are extended out through conducemployed, the active ends of which dip within the same vacuum container within which there is the drop of mercury or other free conductive body.

In Fig. l1 another construction is shown embodying changes in the In Figs. 12 and 13 are shown other forms of actuating devices wherein the mercury or other in and and same construction bead-covered elec- 0, and being as in Fig. 11.

straight and short. The mercury is indicated at l60a in Figs 10 to 17.

In Figs. 14 and 15 the receptacle I 6I is of elongated, tubular form with the opposite end portions bent in opposite directions in the general upon the axis |64 and through opposite walls at the axis of rotation.

Fig. 16 shows a duplication or superposition of the construction shown in Figs. 14 and 15, Whereby the mercury runs through the electrode only one single time within a 360 revolution. In other Words, whereas the electrodes in Figs. 14 and 15 for.

Fig. 16 shows a construction which incorporates a double twist into a toroid 65 rotating about. an axis |66 at which the electrodes enter ing is done on One side of the twist or toroid 10 While the other side, having no electrodes therein, acts as an inwardly bypass for the return or' the mercury.

Fig. 17 shows a practical solution of the several problems hereinbefore discussed in that the eleclll are arranged in an axial line.

the operative loops 114, H5 apart within the re- I'Ha. I., however, herein retain the mechanically important feature of and thereby endanger the single impulse operation desired. To overcome this, the establishment of proper dimensions between the free path besection. Therefore, rounded ends for immediate release are required, and also electrodes that hold the mercury bubble mecontact.

In addition to the numerous uses of the actuator herein referred to Moreover, the construction shown in Fig. 17 also has the important feature that due to its constructural layout it is possible to position the electrodes significantly apart within the receptacle or envelope, as shown at l'ifi, H5, while simultaneously retaining the good feature of the outside electrode leads being co-axially mounted. From a practical viewpoint a construction of this nature can be laid out to operate within substantial voltages, say up to 550 volts, or even higher. lviany mercury switches suffer from the limitation that their construction requires a co.L paratively close proximity between the two contact points. By putting the electrodes into the vacuum receptacle or envelope over an angle, such as shown at H2, H3, it is possible then to separate the two electrodeswithin the receptacle or envelope, so that they are far enough apart from each other not to permit arcing.

The glass switch, such as shown in Figs. 1l to 17, while adequate from an electrical angle, needs packaging within a container, so as to malte it of proper mechanical construction, to give it greater mechanical strength, facilitate its exchange, minimize rotary friction and improve electrical conduction through the rotary member.

if the leads Vit and lli, as shown in Fig. l, were used not only to conduct the electrical current but also for mechanical support and contacting of the bearing, then difficulties would arise out of the position or the leads which may not necessarily always be exactly concentric though reasonably near so. Moreover the friction of a tungsten wire that has gone through methods of electronic tube production is considerable.

For the above electrical as well as mechanical engineering reasons, I do not use the leads as such as mechanical supports.

instead l have provided special supporting nxtures. By these means the glass container with mercury and the leads protruding therefrom are freed from the duty of mechanical support, contacting and the establishment of rotary bearings which must be perfect both from an electrical and mechanical viewpoint. Any switch is no better than the connections from it. If the rotary contactor were not to give good electrical contact, there would occur failure of the circuit.

Also, if the rotary friction in it were excessive,

mechanical deficiency would be evident.

I have herein disclosed a rotatable switch that in certain forms at least is made of glass. In order to protect such a switch, I have, as shown at H9 in Fig. 18, done so by mounting it within a cylinder i313 of insulating material. This not only affords automatically to mount the inside rotating parts with ease in the outside fixture but also accomplishes this in such a manner that concentricity is achieved. This is desirable from the viewpoint of adequate performance despite simplicity of construction.

The electro-mechanical support, then, has to fulfill the following requirements:

(l) It has to relieve from mechanical strain. I achieve this by inserting the glass tube H9, Fig. 18, directly in an insulating holder or insulator cartridge iiici.. This support has a transverse bore through which the tube is inserted essentially at a right angle to the vrotary axis of the insulator. Since there are leads protruding from the glass tube, and also for the purpose of closing elastically around the tube, holding it firmly without breaking it, I have split the glass tube and leads 12. lengthwise the tube i800.. This facilitates insertion of the leads through the slots.

(2) In addition to the mechanical support, there is the problem of good electrical contacting with a minimum of friction. The basic solution to this is a metal to copper-carbon contact, the performance of which has been proven over many years in all motors that have brushes.

Fundamentally, two solutions of the problem are possible. The lead goes into a properly shaped carbon-copper part which part itsehc acts a rotary support. This construction is shown in Fig. 18. @ne lead goes into a single part of goed electrical conductivity and possesses a satisfatory degree of self-lubrication such the graphite in a copper-carbon bearing. This bearing is shown as one single part at l'i'. and also at lit. To recapitulate, the glass tube is held mechanically in the insulator iiiiic. inserted concentrically into the ends of the insulator are copper-graphite bearings. On one side the leads con. ing from the glass tube go into said bearing. Gn the other side, the copper-carbon cylinder is turned down in a lathe or otherwise properly shaped to a narrower diameter. This narrower rod rotates in the stator part of a mechanical 1mishing, such as ile, or it rotates in a countersunk hole of a`conductive body such as the counterforin in which W3 rotates.

n this manner there is provided the mechanical support of the graphite-copper solidly set into the insulating part Etta. Also there is the excellent electrical conductivity of the rotary part ill rotating in its coforrn.

Fig. 18 discloses an electric-light bulb-flashing mechanism and one which constitutes a practical way to connect the sensitive rotary switch to whatever is to be controlled thereby, here shown as an electric-light bulb, but which may he any desired mechanical or electrical apparatus. The cylinder itil is supported at its inner end by a bushing H32 pivotally mounted at 83 in an upright standard E84, whereby the switch il@ may he positioned at any angle with reference to the standard i841.

The bushing im is held in a split bearing that is tightened by a screw i850. when the cylinder i8@ is set at the desired angle or inclination. The actual mechanical contact is herein made through the powder-metallurgy-formed coppergraphite bushing llt rotating on polished pins or reduced portions or the 'bearings ill, H8, and in suitable bearings in the removable thick cylinder ends or heads.

A gear wheel or other suitable means of rnechanical linkage may be applied in an insulated manner to said insulating cylinder It@ for rotating it and also rendering the device properly electrically insulated from the rest of the system.

The construction shwn in Fig. 18 provides a mercury switch or actuator of greater current carrying capacity, it being mounted in an easily replaceable standard fixture. The current is taken o by circuit wiring through electrodes located concentrically within the strong cylinder itil of insulating material. The pivot it provides for a compound angle which permits a longer time of passage between the conducting mercury and the contacting electrodes, according to the angle at which the cylinder i3d is tilted. The smaller the angle the slower the mercury will drop. By extending the angle beyond 90 it is possible to go through 0 and to start again. The electric-light bulb that is flashed is indicated at leila.. There is thus provided a conmutual values of the total mass of the globule, its surface tension, the bore of the insulating tube and the shape of the electrodes are all such as condition when at rest.

Referring partieularly'to Fig. 18, the inner ends of the terminals or electrodes are bent so as to produce better contacting with the free globule, and they are bent outside the tube or receptacle excessive.

In such latter instance, the driving member as little as possible, an in` Into one side the lead E92 coming from the glass rotational friction, the plugs inserted into the end of the insulating tubing 180e form the electrical contact per se through their smaller-diameter shafts that protrude but are made of the serted into the end.

In the construction shown in Figs. 19 and 20, the mercury switch or contacting device IBG, of any of the constructions herein shown, is electend into a copper-carbon brush |93 into which extends a polished needle 94 that is mounted in the insulated upright H35. Such construction a suitable insulator i539. tions, as well as that shown 1n Fig, 19, the elecalready referred to.

In Fig. 20 is shown a slit Igea in the tubing. The walls of the said slit are held together by a collar web which in turn holds the gear wheel ist.

Referring to Fig. 19, it will be noted the insulating tube 595cis the only means for holding the upper part of the actuator in place between the two uprights 688, l 88, which are spaced apart by the insulator base 89. In this construction, concentricity for the cup-and-needle units 199, 96 is diilcult to achieve.

Referring again to Fig. 13, in order to achieve oncentricity automatically, I use in addition to the inner insulator Ia the outer cylindrical By inserting into the tubing |80 the concentric ends ISE, isi, I make sure that the conductive bushings H6, |16 are aligned con centrically, thus affording ease of rotation for the shafts |11 and |18.

In this manner I provide a packaged unit comparable, for instance, to the cylinder of a fuse that is concentric and that can be produced by Also, by using the construction shown in Fig. 18, l achieve a simple means of obtaining a comof the swivel joint m3. The switch proper is important because it gives not only actuation but also de-actuation shortly after contacting has taken place. But the switch as such can be handled mechanically and electrically adequately only if mounted in the proper xtures. Therefore the ixtures as disclosed are essential for making the glass-switches Work.

Fig. 21 shows one of the many uses to which my invention may be put. 'I'herein is shown a light buoy 2M, the electric light 2U! of which is a rheostat is shown at 203, an electric motor at 2M, an electric coupling at Zlib and batteries at 20%.

The uses to which my invention may be put are exceedingly numerous. Without in any way limiting myself, I mention the following: watt meters; iiash units for cameras (both still and slow-speed motion pictures); homing devices; gasoline metering; counter applications; nursecall annunciator systems; railway signalling; flashing signals for street crossings; business machines; vending machines (coin changers, juke boxes) servo-mechanisms; demand meters; solenoid punch presses; positive counting machines for all types of mechanisms; solenoid operated printing devices; impulse generators for spari; and other electrical equipment; lap counters for racing; calculating machines; speed governors; advertising signs, burglar alarm appliances; and electric fence actuators.

An important further use of my invention is to pick out a short time interval from a long time interval in various mechanisms. That is to say, unless cams are made unreasonably large, it is mechanically exceedingly difficult to have a very slow run, yet a fast release. It is diicult to gear a high-speed motor to a slow-speed mechanism. Such action can be made through a Geneva wheel but that is expensive. The herein disclosed mercury drop switch is much more positive. It is ideal for having, for instance, a synchronous timing motor driving the actuator and from it to operate a circuit every thirty seconds. if such a circuit is to be actuated for a few cycles only, the herein disclosed switch is preferably adapted thereto. lf actuation should be for several seconds, a suitable time delay relay can be put in series.

Further advantages of my rotatable switch or actuator' are the following. lt can be operated practically within a minimum of friction. A cam operated device on the other hand has frictional losses. Another advantage of my herein disclosed switch or actuator is that it operates in a controlled atmosphere where freezing of points eventually occurs in switches operating in air. A further advantage of such switch or actuator is that although slight energy is required for its actuation, the interruption is complete. That is to say, in a miniature switch, for instance, which never operates completely reliably, the points separate at times only as little as Te. Therefore, the controlling voltage is limited by the gap between the contact points and also the safety of operation, In my switch or receptacle or actuator, however, the 'drop of mercury being squeezed in the receptacle or envelope, and being squeezed also under the electrodes, oiiers a comparatively long bridge between the electrodes. if there is no mercury between them, they are separated by signiiicant distance, possibly 1/4. lily switch or actuator therefore can be operated with a higher break-down voltage, say possibly 560 volts, where a micro-switch would spark, while complete extinction is possible with my switch or actuator which has the electrodes sufliciently far apart.

lt is apparent from the foregoing description that the receptacle, containergenvelope or capsule may be interposed in any circuit where it is desired to create an impulse of full current strength in order to operate a device of mechanical or electrical nature which requires a heavy current by means of a very small or weak current generating device, and hence devices requiring considerable power may be actuated or controlled from sources of very small power. For example, a very small electric clock may be used to rotate the receptacle, and thus in turn to create impulses in the circuit of a large electric clock such as might be used in a church Steeple. In

like manner a very small impulse, such as gener- .l

ated in an electronic circuit, may be caused through the intermediary receptacle herein disclosed to control, actuate or -follow a mechanism which consumes a large amount of power, by controlling the current flow in a conventional circuit within which the power consuming device is, situated.

I may, if desired, coat or cover the mercury globule with a powder such as a silica powder, in order -to control or prevent any adherence of the mercury to the interior of the `receptacle, envelope or capsule, or to the electrodes, etc.

lt should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described a number of embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

l claim:

l. A circuit making-and-breaking device comprising a rotatable closed receptacle adapted to be interposed in an electric circuit and having therein spaced terminals, a free globule of conductive material in said receptacle that, upon each rotation of said receptacle, is thereby lifted bodily from an initially stable position therein to an unstable position, from which latter position it gravitates suddenly, to return to its said stable position, said spaced terminals being located in the return path of said free globule, which latter therefore makes contact with said terminals prior to the arrival of said free globule at its stable position, an insulator cartridge wherein said receptacle is mounted and which insulator caru tridge is rotatable with said receptacle, and an outer supporting cylinder of insulating material, wherein the said insulator cartridge is itself mounted and wherein there are means to support the said outer supporting cylinder either in a horizontal plane or angularly with respect to a horizontal plane, whereby the speed of fall of the body of conductive material within the inner receptacle may be reduced if desired.

2. A circuit mahing-and-breaking device comprising a rotatable closed receptacle adapted to be interposed in an electric circuit and having therein spaced terminals, a free globule of conductive material in said receptacle that, upon each rotation of said receptacle, is thereby lifted bodily from an initially stable position therein to an unstable position, from which latter .position it gravitates suddenly, to return to its said stable position, said spaced terminals being located in the return path of said free globule, which latter therefore makes contact with said terminals prior to the arrival of said free globule at its stable position, an insulator cartridge wherein said receptacle is mounted and which insulator cartridge is rotatable with said receptacle, and an outer supporting cylinder of insulating material, wherein the said insulator cartridge is itself mounted, and wherein the said insulator cartridge has copper-carbon brushes inserted into the ends thereof, said brushes having their outer ends received in the ends of the outer supporting cylinder'.

outer supporting cylinder.

5. A circuit making-and-breaking device according to claim 4 wherein one end wall of the rotation in substantial coincidence.

9. A circuit making-and-breaking device acing brushes |11 and 118, each having coppercarbon portions and by which the closed receptacle is supported simultaneously from both sides,

11. In a pulse switch, an insulating envelope containing a conductive liquid, electrodes spaced essentially symmetrically near the center of said envelope, said electrodes being bent so as to afford holes for the envelope leads.

14. A pulse switch in accordance with claim l2, wherein means is provided for tilting the entire assembly so as to aiTord simplicity of establishment of a compound angle for varying the time of wherein the lead wires leave the sensing element in such a manner that the sensing element can rotate around them to operate the pulse switch,

the sensing element thereby rotating around the lead wires, essentially mounted to extend into the' axis of rotation of the pulse switch.

19. A pulse switch in accordance with claim 12, wherein there is provided a non-conductive cartridge, wherein the pulse switch is mounted and wherein there are provided brushes inserted essentially into its axis of rotation.

20. A pulse switch in accordance with claim 12, wherein there are provided brushes in the axis ci rotation of said switch and having substantially coaxial holes therein, and the lead wires protruding from the pulse switch and inwardly making electrical contact essentially coaxially, the lead wires being bent externally to nt said coaxial holes.

21. A pulse switch in accordance with claim 12, wherein there is provided a non-conductive cartridge that is split lengthwise so as to facilitate the insertion of the lead wires connected to the switch, there being provided two copper-carbon end-contacts mounted in the insulating envelope.

22. A pulse switch in accordance with claim 12, wherein there is provided an outer, second insulating, imperforate tube, the said second insulating tube surrounding the inner structure of the pulse switch so as to afford electrical insulation for the complete component and providing for simple exchange of the entire unit. 23. A pulse switch in accordance with claim 12, wherein there is provided an inside insulated holder having slits therein, and brushes at both ends thereof, and having holes toward the outside drilled into said brushes, and polished needles inserted into the outside of said brushes, thereby reducing to a minimum the frictional resistance against rotation and making possible the adequate rotary suspension of the member containing the pulse switch.

24. A pulse switch vin accordance with claim .12, there being outer conductive supports 18.3, polished needles, brushes wherein lsaid needles are mounted, thereby7 affording the rotation of the pulse switch with a minimum of friction.

25. A pulse switch in accordance with claim 12, there being outer conductive supports 188, pol- 20 ished needles, brushes wherein said lneedles are mounted, thereby affording the rotation .of the pulse switch with a minimum of friction, the pulse switch having end-bushings wherein the said needles are mounted.

26. A pulse switch in accordance with claim 12, there being outer conductive supports |88, polished needles, brushes wherein said needles are mounted, thereby aiording the rotation of the pulse switch with a minimum of friction, the pulse switch having end-bushings wherein the said needles are mounted, there being means for` spacing the two outer conductors apart.

27. A pulse switch in accordance with claim 12, there being outer conductive supports 188, polished needles, brushes wherein said needles are mounted, thereby aording the rotation of `the pulse switch with a minimum of friction, the pulse switch having end-bushings Vwherein the said needles are mounted, there being means for spacing the two outer conductors apart, there being an insulating mounting for the pulse switch with electrical conductors passing through both the ends thereof, and wherein there is means for rotating the pulse switch within said conductors.

Tietercnces Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 691,739 Batault Jan. 28, 1992 822,325 Tornberg June 5 1906 923,129 Schweitzer May 26, 1999 923,185 Jurgensen June 1, 1909 1,115,668 Harrington Nov. 3, 1914 1,323,094 Piers Nov. 25, 1919 1,747,469 Doeppler Feb. 18, 1930 1,907,639 Young May 9, 1933 2,098,226 Charter Nov. 9, 1937 2,288,583 Leathers June 30, 1942 2,333,533 Lambert Nov. 2, 1943 2,508,986 Anderson May 23, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 26,291 Great Britain Dec. 16, 1905 

